Power Supply Circuit with Replica Load Feedback for Jitter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed semiconductor devices face challenges in stabilizing operating voltage, particularly in reducing power noise to minimize jitter characteristics in clock generator circuits, which existing voltage regulators struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a regulator circuit with a replica power supply node and load circuit, utilizing amplifier circuits and switches to compare reference voltages with internal and replica power supply voltages, and selectively coupling external power supplies to maintain stable internal power voltages, while a replica load circuit compensates for jitter noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voltage regulator is used to stabilize operating voltage, then power noise is reduced, but jitter characteristics in clock generator circuits are not sufficiently improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the voltage regulator continuously monitors the internal power supply voltage and adjusts its output accordingly. The regulator compares the actual voltage with a reference voltage and modifies the power delivery to maintain stability, thereby reducing both power noise and jitter characteristics through closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a replica load circuit that copies the electrical characteristics of the actual clock generator circuit. This replica circuit is used to model and compensate for voltage drops and noise effects, allowing the regulator to pre-adjust voltage levels and better suppress jitter in the actual circuit
2Productivity
If semiconductor devices are made smaller with increased integration, then memory capacity and operating speed increase, but power noise and voltage instability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply system into distinct segments: an external power supply node, an internal power supply node, and a replica power supply node. Each segment is independently regulated and monitored, allowing precise control of voltage delivery to different circuit blocks and reducing the impact of noise and instability in high-speed integrated devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary internal power supply node between the external power supply and the clock generator circuit. This intermediate node acts as a buffer and isolation point, filtering out noise and voltage fluctuations before they reach the sensitive high-speed circuitry, thereby maintaining voltage stability despite increased integration
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit device includes an external power supply input configured to be coupled to an external power supply and a digital circuit, such as a clock signal generator circuit, that generates noise at a power supply input thereof. The device further includes a replica load circuit and a power supply circuit coupled to the external power supply input, to a power supply input of the digital circuit and to a power supply input of the replica load circuit. The power supply circuit is configured to selectively couple the external power supply node to the power supply input of the digital circuit responsive to a voltage at the power supply input of the replica load circuit. The replica load circuit may be configured to provide a load that varies responsive to a voltage at the power supply input of the digital circuit.